Ryan Gosling linked to Lone Ranger role

Michelle Williams & Ryan Gosling are paired in this 2010 drama film about a failed marriage. Dean (Gosling) and Cindy (Williams) are first shown at their modest Pennsylvania home about six years into their marriage. He's a house painter, she's a nurse, they have a daughter who's about five, and the marriage is unraveling. Then Dean and Cindy are shown as they were back when they met, went through a courtship and got into a sexual relationship. From here it's left to the viewer to guess how things must have gradually gone wrong.

The 'Blue Valentine' actor has been tipped to play the lead role in the film version of the TV series, about the exploits of a masked Texas Ranger and his Native American sidekick Tonto, in the American old west.

According to Empireonline.com, Ryan's interest in the role has partly been spurred by Johnny Depp's involvement in the project, as he has been linked to the part of Tonto for the film.

The 'Lone Ranger' began as a radio show before moving to the TV in the '40s and '50s. The new version will be made by Disney and is being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, while Gore Verbinski is to direct the project.

Justin Haythe - who was responsible for the 'Revolutionary Road' script - is working on the screenplay.

Ryan's relationship with Disney goes back to his childhood when he was a member of kids' show the 'Mickey Mouse Club', although he says he found it "depressing" as he thought he wasn't as talented as his fellow 'mouseketeers' - which have included Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake.

He said: "I remember it being depressing because I realised very early, around the age of 12, that I wasn't some kind of child prodigy like the rest of them were."

Ryan, 30, did acknowledge, however, his experience on the show helped inspire him to work hard and pursue his acting career.

He added: "That said, I was inspired by being around people that were fulfilling their destiny in some way. I didn't think it was my destiny, but it did encourage me to go and find out what that was. Which I think I have."